Scottsdale Public Art
Call for Artists/Request for Qualifications (RFQ)
Waterfront Splash Pad Public Art Project

Application Deadline: September 4, 2020

Total Project Budget:  $50,000

Scottsdale Public Art is accepting qualifications from artists for a public art opportunity at the Scottsdale Waterfront on the north side of Stetson Plaza. Up to three finalists will be selected for interviews and paid a $1,000 stipend to do a site visit (pending ease of restrictions due to the pandemic) and interview. Artists working in the southwestern United States, who have experience designing projects with a similar budget and scope, are encouraged to apply.

Applications are due by September 4, 2020.

Overview:

Scottsdale Public Art is seeking to contract with an artist to design and install enhancements at the splash pad between Stetson Plaza and the Marshall Way Bridge at the Scottsdale Waterfront.

The public art project will enhance the area, providing visual interest and adding seating elements.

The selected artist will create a design for splash pad enhancements. Potential enhancements could be:

·  Mosaic tile installations utilizing vertical surfaces of walls and benches surrounding the pad.

·  Pedestrian benches/seating elements with artistic embellishment.
 

Site Description:

The splash pad is a user-activated, low-water-use, plaza-style splash pad intended to attract families to the Waterfront and give them a place to play and relax. During events in the area, the splash pad may be deactivated, depending on event set-up and footprint. Low walls surrounding the splash pad will potentially be enhanced with mosaic tile. The possibility for adding seating elements will be explored. Any seating elements around the splash pad would be installed in areas that will not impede pedestrian traffic.
 

Public Art Scope and Project Description:

The scope for the public art project focuses on the selected artist designing and installing artistic enhancements and features that enhance a splash pad that has recently been installed at the Scottsdale Waterfront. The successful public art will establish a unique sense of place for the Scottsdale Waterfront and surrounding area. Any work at the site that would require a contractor or design professional, besides the artist selected, must be completed by a contractor or design professional licensed in the state of Arizona.

Selection Process

An artist selection panel will be convened to evaluate all submissions and select artist finalists for interviews. Pending interviews, one artist and an alternate will be selected for the project. Finalists will receive a $1,000 stipend to cover expenses associated with the interview. A proposal is not required from finalists selected for interviews.

Selection criteria include the applicant’s professional qualifications, proven ability to complete projects of a similar scope, artistic merit as evidenced by the submitted materials, and demonstrated ability to work with government agencies and stakeholders in the creation of site enhancements for a public art project. 

The selected project artist(s) will be recommended by the selection panel for approval by the Scottsdale Public Art Advisory Board, based on the review of images and other application materials. The Advisory Board approves art concepts and the project scope and budget, thereby allowing the artist creative license within the established project plan. Contract and project plan are to be negotiated with Scottsdale Public Art. The Advisory Board reserves the right to reject any or all applications.

Scottsdale Public Art

In 1985, Scottsdale adopted a 1 percent for art ordinance and established Scottsdale Public Art with the goal to enhance the quality of life afforded area residents and visitors. Projects underway include work by Phillip K Smith III (The Art Office), RE: Site, and Jody Pinto.

Scottsdale Public Art seeks to incorporate the highest quality art in Scottsdale's public places to enhance the city's cultural and artistic identity and presence. Public art in Scottsdale is meant to combine a spirited perspective of traditional and new iconographies as well as celebrate and invigorate the vitality of public life.

Scottsdale Public Art advocates, promotes, and enables the integration of the work and ideas of artists into many facets of planning, design, and building in the community. Public art effectively invites community participation at all phases, from artist selection to dedication. Artists compete for a commission at a specific location, a project panel comprising city residents and art and design professionals chooses the artist, and the artist's design is then presented at public meetings prior to approval and fabrication. In many cases, the artist becomes an integral member of the project design team.

Scottsdale Public Art is managed by Scottsdale Arts, a private, nonprofit management organization that administers the arts and cultural affairs of the city of Scottsdale, Arizona, and also manages Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA), and Scottsdale Arts Learning & Innovation.

Scottsdale, Arizona

Scottsdale is the major resort center of the Phoenix metropolitan area. Although not all of the local major resorts are located in the city, Scottsdale contains the core of specialty shopping, art galleries, and recreational facilities and many of the cultural and sporting events that attract and sustain the local tourism industry. Because of the lack of services in most areas adjacent to the city, Scottsdale’s retail centers, parks, employment centers, and libraries are heavily used by residents outside of the city. The high quality of the visual environment and character areas in the city is an important component of maintaining the tourism industry and civic framework.

The Waterfront (https://www.experiencescottsdale.com/listing/scottsdale-waterfront/41743/) in Old Town, between Goldwater and Scottsdale Roads, is a popular destination spot for residents and tourists in Scottsdale. The area hosts multiple events every year, including Canal Convergence | Water + Art + Light (https://canalconvergence.com/), and is surrounded by restaurants, art galleries, and retail shops.

Timeline

Subject to change, depending on a variety of factors, including monitoring related to the current pandemic:

·         September 4, 2020 — Deadline for response to RFQ (Midnight MST)

·         September 2020 — Finalist notifications, interviews

·         October 2020 — Artist selection and contract development

·         Fall/Winter 2020–21 — Design and approval

·         Spring 2021 — Fabrication, site prep, and installation

·         May 2021 — Project complete    

Eligibility

All artists residing in the Southwest region of the United States are eligible to apply.

Application Delivery

Applications are being accepted via the CallForEntry.org website.

Specific proposals are not requested at this stage in the process.

All materials submitted become the property of Scottsdale Public Art.

Submission Requirements:

•    Digital Images: 5 digital images of previously completed artwork.

•    Resume or CV: Current professional resume or curriculum vitae (CV), including artist address, email, and phone number. Teams must submit one resume/CV per team member.

•    References: 2 professional references for you.

•    Statement(s) of Intent: Address how the applicant’s previous experience and current artistic direction will result in a successful public art project.

For Further Information

All questions regarding this request for qualifications are to be directed to Tanya Galin, public art coordinator, Scottsdale Public Art, at TanyaG@ScottsdaleArts.org. Please include artist name and contact info in all correspondence.

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria